Two recent graduates of Point Loma High School have been selected to participate in the inaugural edition of a major sailing event.

Jake La Dow and Jake Reynolds, both 19, will spend the summer preparing for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, to be sailed along the Embarcadero in San Francisco Bay Sept. 1-4. A third local, Nevin Snow, a Cathedral Catholic High alum, was also selected.

The youth series will be sailed in AC 45 catamarans, boats called “exciting” and “challenging.”

“The Jakes” began sailing at age 6 in a San Diego Yacht Club program. Their sailing pedigree includes grandparents who were part of the Stars & Stripes America's Cup run.

“We see this event as a direct pathway leading to the (traditional) America's Cup,” La Dow said.

La Dow and Reynolds were both skippers for the national champion PLHS sailing team during their prep days.

Both are now in college, La Dow at St. Mary's College of Maryland and Reynolds at College of Charleston in South Carolina.

“We have so many people behind us,” La Dow said. “People at the San Diego Yacht Club are excited there is a strong team coming from the club.”

Reynolds agreed.

“We'll be spending all summer in San Francisco as soon as our college classes end,” Reynolds said.

Both will be sailing for the USA45 Racing Team, representing the entire U.S. Another boat in the competition (American Youth Sailing Force) will represent the city of San Francisco.

“Our team is comprised of sailors from all around the country,” Reynolds said. “There are people from Florida to Virginia and Newport Beach, along with the three of us from San Diego.”

“We’re all blown away,” La Dow concluded. “We don't even realize how big an event this will be. Everyone is super excited for us.”

EXTRA NOTES

• The America’s Cup is the oldest active trophy in international sports, first awarded in 1851 and most recently won in 2010 by the Golden Gate Yacht Club, host of this summer’s defense.

• Veteran sailor Charlie Ogletree, most recently skipper of China’s America’s Cup entry, was named last week as the head coach of Team USA45. Ogletree coached the America’s Cup winning BMW/Oracle Racing boat in 2008 and is a four-time U.S/ Olympic team member, winning a silver medal in 2004 at Athens.

• La Dow has been selected as team manager and will take the wing trimmer task on the water.

• Reynolds will be the team’s bowman.

• La Dow, Reynolds and Snow have sailed together in numerous regattas in the past.

• Sailing enthusiasts can go to www.usa45racing.com and learn more about the series and register for email updates.